Kilotest: Diagnoses of tab-opening link action unstated violation by HTML element 177 on DemocracyNext page

Here is how tools diagnose the tab-opening link action unstated issue for HTML element 177 of the DemocracyNext page.

Basics

• About the tab-opening link action unstated issue
  • Why it matters: Following a link opens a new window, surprising a user
  • Priority: high
  • Related WCAG standard: 3.2.5
• About the DemocracyNext page
  • URL: https://www.demnext.org/
  • Tested on 2026-04-10 at 16:47
• About HTML element 177
  • Take me there
  • Tag name: A
  • Text: Explore it here
  • Start tag: <a class="mt-[33px] inline-block rounded-3xl bg-black px-[23px] font-heldane text-head-32 font-semibold text-white transition-colors hover:bg-blue sm:mt-4" href="https://assemblyguide.demnext.org/" target="_blank">
  • XPath: /html/body/div[8]/div[1]/div[1]/a[1]
  • Bounding box: x = 479, y = 5798, width = 228, height = 38

Diagnoses

1. <p>Readers can always choose to open a link a new window. When a link forces open a new window, it can be confusing and annoying, especially for assistive device users who may wonder why their browser's "back" button is suddenly disabled.</p> <p>There are two general exceptions:</p> <ul> <li>When the user is filling out a form, and opening a link in the same window would cause them to lose their work.</li> <li>When the user is clearly warned a link will open a new window.</li> </ul> <p><strong>To fix:</strong> set this link back its default target, or add a screen-reader accessible warning (text or an icon with alt text).</p>

   Tool: Editoria11y (Princeton University)

   Rule: linkNewWindow